His new defensive line coach, Mike Walker, is also returning to the organization where he played defensive tackle at the end of his all-star, 10-year CFL career.

While they have both played in Edmonton before, they have also been in the same player-coach relationship when Walker coached the Washington State Cougars defensive line.

"I coached him for four years down in Washington State," said Walker, who is taking over the defensive line from former coach Jim Daley. "He looks like a grown man now, when he was there he looked like a little kid."

But, Walker added, Braidwood still has the same approach to football he's always had.

"Adam's a fighter, a tough kid," Walker said.

Although he's in attendance at rookie camp, Walker said Braidwood is far from being a rookie and doesn't seem to have forgotten anything from his first two seasons in the league.

"He's coming off that injury and we got him in early just to test him and see where he's going to be. I think he was all for that. I think it's good for him because he's got to be comfortable with it," Walker said. "That's a big test, but I think he's coming through with flying colours right now."

As are Walker's first impressions of his own return to Edmonton.

"It's been great, they welcomed me with open arms," Walker said. "They're the greatest guys around and I knew that when (head coach) Richie (Hall) called me and asked me if I wanted to work here.

"I always wanted to when I played and I just got old when I got here, because I only had two years left."

Prior to playing with the Eskimos, Walker spent 1982- 89 with the Hamilton Ti-Cats, winning the Grey Cup in '86.